Johnny Depp x Amber Heard: What happens if the actress does not pay compensation?

With the verdict in the trial between Amber Heard, 36, and Johnny Depp, 58, mostly in favor of the actor, it was defined that the actress should pay US$ 8.35 million (about R$ 40 million) to her ex-husband. . However, attorney Elaine Bredehoft said Heard “absolutely cannot” pay damages.

A new question then arises: What happens if the actress doesn’t have enough money to pay? Bredehoft said the next step for the actress – who was paid $2 million – will be to appeal the verdict. In addition, the lawyer also pointed out that she has already spent more than US$ 6 million (R$ 28 million) in legal costs for the trial.

According to legal analyst Emily Baker, told People magazine, if Depp’s lawyers are destined to make Heard serve the sentence, that could include garnishment of wages and even more valuable assets, such as jewelry, for example.

“Ben Chew said in his closing argument that Johnny Depp was not trying to punish Amber Heard with money. That they will try to solve it and you will see a PR statement that they are not trying to enforce the judgment.” .

Heard could try to file for bankruptcy, but she cannot pursue that option under a US Bankruptcy Act. Because the act considered defamatory was intentionally practiced by the actress, the law maintains the debt. Depp may still waive compensation or negotiate a lower amount with Heard.

“If I were on the Depp team, this is what I would do: I would try to get an injunction to stop Amber Heard from repeating statements that the jury found defamatory and then stipulate that payments will not be made and there will be no pending judgment.” , added Baker.

Attorney Brian Pastor explained in an interview with CBS News that if Depp decides to pursue the value through liens (of assets and wages), some of the artist’s accounts will be protected, such as those involving retirement.

The actress’ assets are not public knowledge and information varies widely. The website Celebrity Net Worth calculates US$ -6 million (about R$ -28 million). Fox Business says US$ 8 million (R$ 40 million). In Forbes magazine, which makes the list of the 100 richest celebrities, the actress’s name never appeared.

Despite this, Heard cannot be arrested. The trial was a civil case, in which the plaintiff accuses the defendant of some wrongdoing or harmful act, but does not bring a criminal charge against the parties. Which means neither party will go to prison.

UNDERSTAND THE COMPENSATION CALCULATION

Johnny Depp, 58, emerged victorious from the defamation trial he disputed with ex-wife Amber Heard, 36, but will not get the R$50 million (R$240 million) compensation he asked for in the lawsuit. The final value was US$ 8.35 million (R$ 40 million).

To better understand the calculation, it is necessary to remember that both were seeking damages for defamation. If on the one hand, Depp wanted US$ 50 million, on the other, Amber was asking for US$ 100 million (R$ 480 million).

In the end, the jury, made up of seven people, ruled in favor of Depp with compensation of US$10 million in compensatory damages and US$5 million in punitive damages. , totaling US$ 15 million (R$ 72 million).

On the other hand, the actress won part of the lawsuit she was moving and, therefore, would receive US$ 2 million (R$ 9.6 million), for Depp’s lawyer having accused her of inventing a story for the police under the direction of your lawyer and publicist.

In the end, the judge in the case reduced the punitive damages to $5 million for the actor, as Virginia law limits punitive damages in such cases. As a result, the compensation that the actor is expected to receive from the actress was US$ 8.35 million (R$ 40.1 million).